Petition · Department for Education, Home Office
Keep 24 month post-study visa for international graduates
Open for signatures
37 signatures
What the petition asks
Reverse the planned cut to the Graduate Route visa from 24 to 18 months. We think international graduates should keep the right to stay and work in the UK for two years after their degree instead of the proposed 18 months, giving them a fair chance to contribute their skills to the economy.
International students contribute £41.9 billion to the UK economy and £560 per citizen per year. They pay full tuition fees, fill skills shortages, and support local economies. From January 2027, the Graduate visa drops from 24 to 18 months, leaving graduates less time to secure skilled work before their visa runs out. In our view, the UK actively recruits global talent, trains it at world-class universities, then makes it leave before it can give back. We do not think that this is a strategy - It is a waste.
Timeline
| 11 May 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
37
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Education, Home Office
Opened
11 May 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.